Navigating The Best Of Perth Online And In Person

If you were planning a trip to say London or Paris and wanted to explore the main attractions, would you do an online search for ‘River Thames’ or ‘Seine River’?

Probably not, yet it’s interesting that ‘Swan River’ is one of the most searched-for keywords which could indicate that people planning to visit Perth don’t really understand the city’s geography. 

The huge number of online searches for ‘Swan River’ may also indicate that people get confused between the Swan River and the Swan Valley.

Swan River vs Swan Valley

Much of Perth and many of its main attractions are built along the banks of the Swan River and there are many vantage points for enjoying all aspects of this gracefully meandering river - including places to take unforgettable photographs!   The Swan River isn’t really a standalone destination in Perth because it’s - well, it’s everywhere and it’s so easy to access and enjoy. 

The Swan Valley is a different story.  It’s a hugely popular destination in its own right and a ‘must-see’ for anyone visiting Perth.

The river snakes its way through the Swan Valley which is widely regarded as one of Western Australia’s premier tourism regions, offering visitors a rich fusion of wine (it is the oldest wine region in Western Australia), food, boutique breweries, distilleries, antique shops, art and crafts, stunning scenery and natural attractions and best of all, it’s only a short 25 minutes from the Perth CBD and 10 minutes from the airport.

Western Australia’s first free settlement was made on the banks of the Swan River in 1829, which is named for the beautiful black swans which are found all around the river.  It runs for 360kms from its origin in the hills south of Corrigin and empties into the Indian Ocean at Fremantle harbour, it is only known as the Swan River for 60kms of its course.

Visitors can see so much of the Swan River's natural beauty for free from just about anywhere in the city (the famous King’s Park is one of the very best vantage points), but a tour of the Swan Valley is highly recommended. 

What Do I Do First??

With such a vast array of choices, it can be tricky for those without the inside track to know where to go and what to do - especially if time is limited.  How do you know which winery is the best?  Or where to find the most delicious local produce?  How do you know where to go to capture that magic photograph? 

Don’t waste time aimlessly driving around or getting lost.  A local tour operator will know where the best spots are and they can work out a personalised itinerary to suit you.  The Swan Valley has so much to offer visitors so if you’ve got a few hours, a day or even a couple of days, it’s worth trusting an experienced tour company to showcase the best of everything.

Of course, no trip to Perth is complete without a visit to the iconic blue boathouse on the Swan River and a drive through the world-famous King’s Park and Botanic Garden where the city and river views are simply sensational.  Any tour operator worth their salt will always make a special effort to show these to visitors, because no-one should miss out on these two major Perth attractions.

The Best of Perth

Talking of attractions, Singapore Airlines has just released a short film showcasing the best of Perth featuring local celebrity, Nat Ho.  Follow his journey through the city and further afield in Western Australia at http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/plan-travel/local-promotions/perth/ as he explores some of the most picture-perfect places on the planet and makes a lifetime of memories.

Local Niche Tour Operator

For any information about Swan Valley tours, or for a customised tour of Perth and its surrounds, get in touch with Up Close and Local Tours.  They’re a niche tour company, offering personalised, boutique food and wine tasting tours in and around Perth for visitors and locals looking for an authentic WA experience.  Contact them on +61 423 126 254 or visit upcloseandlocaltours.com.au for more information or to book your tour.